DESIGN AND EXECUTION OF AN AUTOMATIC CONTROL SYSTEM FOR MARSHALLING YARDS

The high concentration of wagons to be handled in large marshalling yards makes it possible to: (1) solve optimisation problems effectively (choice of order of reception and splitting up of trains, optimisation of splitting-up programmes especially for parallel splitting of trains, optimisation of train forwarding planning); (2) foresee possible difficulties in working; (3) prepare the working documents for transmissions between department heads; (4) draw up the train formation lists; and (5) automate yard booking. The article gives the results of research, experience and prospects for application of a system of automatic management of freight yards. It deals with problems which can be resolved in the yard by means of small third-generator electronic calculators, and defines the anticipated development of an automatic management system for very large yards and railway centres.